New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-05-11
that made him underestimate the


charm OF youth, and eager hopes
and young romance. He found
out his mistake when, smitten beyond
his power to withstand it, he offered
himself and his money! bags to the pale
see the emotion in his fat face, the
gleam in his small, pale eyes.
Rosalia did not smile. She was
troubled; but the luminous pallor OF
her lovely face was not flushed with
the palest rose tint as she declined the
favor.
81 can restore you to Italy" he
said. What can Vance Erskine do
for you?"
.'He can bring Italy here" answered
Rosalia, as she thought OF the past
three months, when she had walked
over the enchanted ground in that
light which never shone on sea or
land.
"a young man cannot love you as
I do" he said, with a gasp, for the
blow was hard. He loves himself
best, you willsee He is an ill-regulat-
ed fellow. You can't count on hira.
He's notreliable.
Il love his imperfections," said
Rosalia. light coming into her eyes
and transforming her face into perfect
beauty.
Sheldon was turning away with q
curse, but his heart was sore. He
could not give up all hope.
81 want to be your friend,'' he said,
with an effort. eff I can ever help
you, come to me"
Rosalia looked relieved. She was
too tender-hearted to wish to
hurt any living thing. She reached
out her delicate white hand.
Chow thin your hand is" he said,
looking at thefragile thing that lay like
aroseleaf in his stubby palm. 'tThis
life is killing you. Let me at least
help you to give it up"
ooh, how. could that be done?" said
Rosalla, with a nervous laugh. "Vance
will soon be promoted, and then"
Sheldon went out gnashing his teeth
Course the fellow!' he said "Iwish
I could grind him to powder. I don't
give her up yet. will hinder that
promotion it l cam
At that very moment the fortunate
lover was cursing his luck, and pacing
the street in a reckless way-seeing
nothing, hearing nothing, of his sur
roundings. The world had grown diff
ferent to him, for he was standing face
to face with death-death or disgrace.
He had been forced by his own reck-
less folly into a corner where he must
choose between the two. And life was
sweet to him because of his love, and
disgrace was all the more unbearable
because of her.
He had no excuse for his folly. He
had borrowed a sum from the bank,
| relying on an expected payment from
a friend. The friend suddenly died in
solvent. Vance had suuandered the
banks money, partly at the gaming
table. It must be replaced, or
He turned suddenly. He would tell
Rose all. How unworthy, how ignoble
he was At his best he had never de-
served her, and now Her love
should have lifted him out of his fol-
lies-should have sufficed for him. He
seemed to see all the sweet possibili-
ties of his life rising before him. He
caught his breath with gasp-it was
too late, too late!
A drear London mist was rising. He
was rather glad to have the people
! blotted out, and the houses. He long
ed to be alone somewhere where
( yet he shuddered at the awful lone
liness of death.
"But it would be easier to leave a
world wrapt upin fog" hesaid, ''than
a land OF sunshine and flowers. If
there's nything that can make man
feel like suicide it is London fog"
Rosalia was waiting for him. She
was not to sing this evening, and she
paced the room impatiently, with
some feeling of unrest she could not
explain. Her cheeks were scarlet, her
eyes shone like stars. OF late she had
lost her pallor in the evening. Roses
bloomed on the delicate cheeks
such roses as would have made her
mothers heart ache if she had lived
to see them. "Such brightness dying
seems diffuse.'
Vance was not wise enough to I'M
derstand. He only saw that she was
growing more beautiful. When he
looked into her eyes he tried to mask
his own misery, but she read some
terrible secret in his face.
''Iell me-, she faltered. Il can bear
anything if you will only be frank. Is
it that you have ceased to love me?
have been much afraid of that
| Nothing else can hurt me-"
"No, no! God knows I never loved
you betteru' cried Vance. bitterly.
''There! am answered." cried
Rose, in ecstacy, 'sNo matter about
1 the rest"
Vance caught the slight form in his
arms. and crushed her to his breast
My darling" he cried, 81 have been
mad! Isee it-now darling. Why did
| we ever meet?"
Because we were meant for one an
other, whispered Rose, family smil-
ing.
''Let me tell you, must, said the
/ young man, in sudden anguish. 81
will tell you all the truth
/ IA 5y,o1,ro5 Ont ct